City of York Council is offering up to 25 emergency beds to accommodate rough sleepers this winter, with extra indoor space available if it’s needed.
Every person sleeping out can take up advice and secure a safe place to stay as the temperature drops and as the health risks of sleeping rough increase.
York’s emergency winter bed scheme exceeds national guidelines and is available whatever the weather from Saturday 1 November until the end of March 2026.
A number of these emergency beds are always available at other times of year in addition to the 120 beds regularly available for single, homeless people.
For non-York residents who are sleeping outside, we support them to return to their local areas once accommodation/support is identified.
Anyone needing a bed is triaged into the accommodation best-suited to their situation and their support needs.
Once the support is underway, people are offered longer-term accommodation with a level of support that’s right for them. If this is successful, they can be supported into living more independently.
The number of people sleeping out in York continually fluctuates depending on the weather and other factors.
Cllr Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing at City of York Council, said:
We are committed to making rough sleeping rare, brief and non-recurring. People sleeping on our streets are amongst the most vulnerable in society. Many have suffered trauma in their lives and we do all we can to keep them safe and rebuild their lives. Our rough sleeper navigators work daily with them, alongside a network of partners across the city.
“Please join us to signpost people sleeping rough to the help that’s available. That support will help them to stay off the street and rebuild their lives. If you’re concerned about someone sleeping rough, please contact the council or Streetlink straight away. We must do all we can to help them.”
For information on how we help rough sleepers, please visit the council's Rough Sleeping webpage.
If you meet someone who is rough sleeping, please let them know they can drop-in for advice with accommodation and support between 9.30am and 12.30pm, Monday to Friday at: The Peasholme Centre, 4 Fishergate, York, YO10 4FH.
Or call or text our Navigators on 07511 161169, or email: housingrshnavigators@york.gov.uk.
For emergency accommodation outside normal office hours, call 0300 131 2131 or email: edt@northyorks.gov.uk.
If you or someone you see is sleeping outdoors, please contact StreetLink. They will notify us so we can go and offer help.